Academic Centers

In partnership with the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, CALL provides programming and enhanced leadership to create vibrant, healthy congregations that successfully advance their mission.

CALL is named for the Rev. Dr. Art and Mrs. Carol Wahlers. The Wahlers came to Concordia soon after Dr. Wahlers graduated from seminary and stayed for his entire ministry. During his tenure, Wahlers served as a high school and college instructor, principal of the high school, dean of students, academic dean, athletic coach, and director of the choir. Mrs. Wahlers was a gracious hostess and welcomed Concordia visitors, especially alumni, to their home near campus.

The Center houses the largest non- circulating collection of recently published children’s and young adult literature on the West Coast. The Center also provides resources for educators, parents, and influential adults to inspire a lifelong love for reading in children.

Jody Thurston dedicated much of her life to children as a teacher at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool in Beaverton, Ore. The naming of the Northwest Center for Children’s Literature in her honor pays tribute to her work and love of children.

Robert & Virginia Hilken Family Nursing Center

The Nursing Center helps meet the increasing demand for well-trained and compassionate nurses. The expanded space and state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories allow for increased enrollment, provide access to the latest training and technology, and enable Concordia to run community health clinics on campus.

Robert and Virginia Hilken have been longtime supporters of Concordia University. Mr. Hilken was a founding member of the Concordia Foundation Board of Directors and also served on the university’s Board of Regents. In addition, he served on The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Northwest District Board of Directors for 14 years. Mrs. Hilken is a past member of the Concordia Women’s Guild, and both she and Mr. Hilken served in volunteer roles at a number of Lutheran churches in the community. Mr. Hilken died in early 2013, but his legacy continues on throughout the Concordia community.

The Center for Volga German Studies works to preserve the heritage, history, traditions, and accomplishments of the Volga Germans and their descendants. The Center promotes creative collaboration among researchers to generate a deeper appreciation of Volga Germans’ profound contributions to culture, language, politics, and faith around the world.

The Shakespeare Authorship Research Centre is the premier academic center for inquiry into the poetic and dramatic works conventionally attributed to William Shakespeare. The only one of its kind, the Centre brings together scholars from around the globe to discuss the authorship question at annual conferences and seminars.